Founded in
1869 as the first equestrian center of Santiago for horse racing, Club Hípico
de Santiago had its official opening, as well as its first races on September
20, 1870, under the leadership of its first president, Don Francisco Baeza
Sotomayor. Soon, distinguished men and women came to the premises of the Club to
meet and socialize, while enjoying the best equestrian show in the country.

The first
building of the Club was constructed in the fashion of the time, a graceful structure
of wood and glass. The building suffered a devastating fire in 1892, leaving it
in ruins. However in a short time the stands were rebuilt, this time in iron
and glass, which greatly improved comfort for the public. The new structure, a monumental
work of art by the famed architect Josué Smith Solar, was inaugurated on April
7, 1923. The building has become an important landmark of the city of Santiago
and in 2002 was designated a historic monument by the government for its
contribution to the city.

At Club
Hípico de Santiago, people of all ages can have a memorable day, delighting in
its parks, restaurants and mountain views. Presently, Club Hípico de Santiago holds
racing every second Monday, Fridays, and nine Sundays per year. On a regular
race day, approximately 5,000 people attend the races but that number can swell
to over 50,000 for any days that hold a Group 1 race, of which 8 are held
throughout the year. Thousands of fans and bettors also enjoy the races from one
of its 200 betting ships, which are distributed throughout Chile.

Annually the
Club holds 1,600 races across both of its racing surfaces, grass and dirt.